Borah eVent Bivy — Does It Need Seam Sealing?

[Mitchell Ebbott]

I got a Borah Gear eVent bivy, and it didn't come seam sealed. I asked John about it and he said most customers don't find it necessary. The seams are cleanly sewn, and since everything is sewn with a single seam there's not a lot exposed. Would other owners of this and similar bivies mind sharing their experience? My instinct is telling me to seal it, but if it's not really necessary I don't want to waste my time.

[Jonathon Self]

I never sealed mine when I had it, but I didn't find it overly necessary either. If I was expecting monsoon weather, I might consider it, but if I really was expecting that much rain, a bivy probably wouldn't be my first choice. :) Mine held up to light rain just fine, and I'm sure it would have been fine in most anything short of sitting in a puddle (which one should avoid anyway).

[Tim Harney]

I also asked John after receiving mine earlier this year, and he told me the same thing. I tested mine with a water sprinkler on a rather gentle setting for 15 minutes, and there were several damp/wet spots on paper bags I had inside the bivy. Even though I don't ever anticipate sleeping in a deluge, I want to trust my gear 100%. I seam sealed mine, tested again, no leaks.

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